25 January 10: Habitat Environment Management - The green behind Stockland's gold

ENVIRO property specialist Habitat Environment Management has emerged as the green behind the gold at one of the Coast’s best selling residential parcels, Stockland’s $244m The Observatory at Reedy Creek on the southern Gold Coast.

Habitat Environment Management Director Matt Keys and his team have worked closely with Stockland over the last eight years to ensure the protection of flora and fauna and ongoing management of The Observatory’s expansive land parcel.

“The Observatory is one of our signature projects on the Gold Coast. Working with Stockland, we have been able to identify, protect and manage the bushland while successfully integrating with the built form. Stockland are extremely enviro-conscious and it’s been a blast working with them on this project,” said Matt Keys.

“An increasing number of developers are cottoning on to the vast advantages of engaging environmental consultants to build sustainable communities that complement the existing landscapes in which they are created.

“In a nutshell, we conduct the initial scientific surveys, prepare the relevant impact assessments and then respond to these impacts by preparing rehabilitation plans. Then our Environmental Restoration team get to work on building native forests, eradicating weeds, stabilising eroded banks and restoring  ecosystems.  We work closely with the project manager to find solutions that protect the environment while still harnessing progress.”

The Observatory has 15kms of walking trails and almost 180 hectares, or 60 per cent of the site is dedicated to open space.  There is a wide variety of wildlife species, an abundance of natural vegetation and local parks and bushland.

Stocklands Gold Coast and Northern NSW regional manager Col Dutton, said The Observatory is a signature residential community for the developer on the Gold Coast.

“In many ways, The Observatory is a showcase of how best to create a master-planned community by not impeding on its best asset – the natural landscape,” said Mr Dutton.

Mr Dutton says Habitat takes a holistic approach, from working with the developer during the DA process and throughout the entire duration of project construction.

“Working with Habitat allowed us to not only identify practical ways to protect rare and threatened species of flora and fauna on the site, but to also implement regeneration plans where we could achieve really positive environmental outcomes. Protecting the flora and fauna here has meant that we can offer the best of both worlds. Residents live in a genuine, unspoiled bushland setting with plenty of wildlife, yet are still just minutes away from a major shopping centre, schools and the famous beaches of the Gold Coast.” Mr Dutton said.

The Observatory’s latest land release Silver Bark A  offers ocean views, with prices starting at $325,000 for a 732 square metre lot.